Pistol whipped
Muirhead triggers super win to send GB into semis and seal historic Canada KO
EVE MUIRHEAD pulled the trigger on her “pistol shot” to gun down Canada and seal a semi-final slot for Great Britain’s women curlers. The Scot played a raised double take-out in the penultimate end, wiping out two Canadian stones, to swing the match her way and ultimately seal a 6-5 win. The victory didn’t just seal a shot at a medal for her team, it also dumped Canada out of the competition – the first time one of its curling sides has failed to reach an Olympic podium.
Muirhead said: “It came at a critical time. I jumped up and was just glad I landed with both my feet firmly on the ice and not flat on my face.
“Canada are not in the semis for the first time but our goal was to book a spot in the last four. We’re delighted.”
The Canadians’ demise was inspired by one of their own, GB women’s coach Glenn Howard, whose reputation as a quadruple world champion for his nation has not spared him from criticism.
Within minutes of GB’s win his Wikipedia page was altered to brand him a “traitor curler”.
He said: “I’ve had the Maple Leaf on my back and was proud to wear it but I’m also proud to put GB there.”
Both sides went into the game knowing it was pivotal, with defeat leading Muirhead into a play-off at best while a loss for Canada would make a piece of unwanted history.
Muirhead was chasing the game through the early ends but it swung her way in the sixth when Rachel Homan made a mistake, handing the initiative to Great Britain.
Muirhead capitalised, her ninth-end shot restricting Homan to a one-point lead going into the last, before she packed the house on the final end and secured the two she needed for victory without having to use her final stone.
Kyle Smith’s men’s GB team lost 10-4 to the USA, forcing them into a play-off against Switzerland for a semi-final slot.